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Dispatches from our Chicagoan in Hollywood Liz Crokin on Ben and Kristen’s chemistry and Jay Cutler and Kristin Cavallari’s big year

Ben & Kristen on-set chemistry is ‘electric’

Ireported in a recent column that Ben Affleck and Kristen Stewart were out on a dinner date discussing their upcoming film project, “Focus.” I wrote that I wouldn’t be surprised if a romance blossomed between the two off set, because let’s face it, both stars are notorious for hooking up with their co-stars. The movie’s script has now been leaked, and it looks like Ben and Kristen are slated to share some steamy love scenes. According to reports, Ben will play a veteran grifter who takes an attractive young woman, played by Kristen, under his wing. Kristen has a nude scene and the two have hot makeup sex after their characters get into an explosive fight.

Another racy scene reads as follows: “Looking up at the man in front of her, the young woman whispers, ‘Just kiss me.’ He lowers his lips to hers, her back pressed against the hotel room door. After fumbling for the lock, the pair stumble through the hallway to the bedroom, never breaking their embrace. They fall onto the bed in a tangle of limbs.”

I hear that the chemistry between Kristen and Ben is electric. “If you saw them together and didn’t know who they were, you would definitely think that they were a couple,” my source said. One thing is certain: The sparks will be flying between the sheets for these two actors — on set at least.

Jay’s secret weapon

As the saying goes, what a difference a year makes, and it couldn’t ring truer for Jay Cutler. Sources tell me that Jay’s stable family life with fiancée Kristin Cavallari and their first child, Camden Jack (born Aug. 8), has helped the Bears quarterback on and off the field.

“Having a stable family life at home and the joy of a newborn baby boy has been therapeutic for Jay,” a source said. “Their lifestyle has changed for the better. Their lives are low key now and focused around the baby.”

That hasn’t always been the case for Kristen and Jay. Before the couple temporarily split up in July 2011, they were fighting all the time. “They would go out and party super late all the time and end up getting into huge screaming matches,” the source said. “Their tumultuous relationship affected Jay’s performance on the field. However, the baby has brought tranquility to their relationship and now they rarely go out and party as much. They seem very happy together.”